First-year school leavers

You are eligible if you are completing your final year of high school or completed your final year in the previous calendar year at a high school in Aotearoa, New Zealand or an international equivalent.

Our first-year residences offer you a fantastic student lifestyle with an organised social programme of events as well as academic and pastoral support. You will have the chance to build lifelong friendships with people from all over New Zealand and the world.

The communities that make up our halls of residence provide a lasting impression on students, creating memories that last a lifetime.

You can apply for a place in any of the following:

• Grafton Hall in a single room,
• O'Rorke Hall in a single or large* single room,
• University Hall - Towers in a single room,
• Waipārūrū Hall in a single or large* single room,
• University Hall Apartments in a single room in a shared 4-5 bedroom apartment

In Grafton Hall, O'Rorke Hall, Waipārūrū Hall and University Hall Towers all of your meals are included in your fees, and served daily in the Hall dining room.

University Hall Apartments is a self-catered residence, where students can opt into a partially or fully catered meal plan at nearby University Hall Towers at an additional weekly rate.

*Large single rooms are limited. If your application for a large single is not successful, you will be automatically considered for a standard single in the same residence. 

Disability options

Grafton Hall, O'Rorke Hall and University Hall Towers provide suitable facilities, including wheelchair access and specially fitted bathrooms. Guide dogs can also be accommodated at O'Rorke Hall.

All three residences involve a climb uphill from campus. Please ensure you provide all relevant details of your disability on your application form so our staff can meet your needs.

For more information visit Accessible Accomodation, or check out Student Disability Services (SDS).

Residence comparison chart

The chart below lists the residences available to school-leaver applicants only.

If you are a new student here at the University of Auckland, you may be eligible for a scholarship, regardless of your background or where you live. Guaranteed accommodation in a Hall of Residence will be offered to students who are awarded one of these scholarships – even if you currently live in Auckland. Find out more about our School Leaver and First-Year Scholarships.

Common Confidential Reference Forms (CCRFs) are no longer required for University of Auckland Accommodation applications. 

'About you' application questions

The following five questions are asked in the 'About you' section of the school leaver application:

1. Tell us about you - what are your interests and hobbies? What's something you're passionate about outside of study?
2. Every accommodation community is made up of students who all bring something different. What do you think you'll bring to your UoA Accommodation community?
3. What does your ideal UoA Accommodation experience look like? What are you most looking forward to about living in UoA Accommodation? Is there anything you hope to experience, achieve, or get involved in while you're here?
4. How do you like to live? Everyone has different routines and living styles. Tell us anything you'd like us to know about yours. What helps you feel at home in a shared living environment? Examples could include study habits, sleep routines, social preferences, or how you like to spend your downtime.
5. Is there anything else you'd like us to know or consider that will help us create the best residential experience for you?u?

Note:

• Answers for each question can be no longer than 1,500 characters – approximately 250 words.
• There is an inactivity timeout period on the application form, so we suggest that you write your answers in a Word document so you can copy and paste your answers across.